Claiming His Unexpected Baby (Assassins Guild #2) - Michelle Howard Page 0,44

addition, Sulen wanted to hurry back to Amelie. He’d never had someone to come home to after an assignment. Now he was eager to return to her and Fleur and make sure Roan was out of their lives.

The door swung open wider and Sulen tensed. A woman came out. She was attractive and could have done far better than the walking monster that was Drekul. The woman kissed one of Drekul’s four protruding antennas, unaware or unconcerned with the fact she was involved with a serial killer.

Drekul was known for breaking into the homes of numerous couples and killing them in the midst of the sex act. Afterward, he’d pose their bodies into grotesque positions while still connected. Then he’d release his own sex fluids on top of them.

When the authorities discovered the seventh couple he’d been dubbed the sex slayer and designated for immediate termination.

On the stoop, the kiss ended and the woman waved on her way back inside. Once the door closed, Drekul took two steps down the stairs beaming a jaunty smile. Probably thinking of the next victims he’d already picked out. Sulen had covertly watched Drekul trail the couple for the last two days, memorizing their patterns and schedule.

If he stuck with his routine, he’d meet with his lover then kill the couple and be off before any were the wiser.

Sick bastard. Sulen inhaled slowly, confirmed positioning and fired. Drekul dropped as if his strings were cut short. Sulen turned away and immediately broke down his laser and began packing everything. Experience and practice had the process down to less than a minute. He was on his feet and off the roof by the time the first scream rang out.

Shrugging his case on his back, Sulen strolled down the street in the opposite direction of the house. He popped up the collar of his coat in a futile attempt to limit the dampness. Now to get home and back to Amelie.

Chapter 16

Saedra’s scream had Amelie and Scarlett on their feet but it was Garik’s reaction that truly frightened her. If Amelie thought his expressions were scary before, it was nothing compared to the look that crossed his face as he leaped to his feet and nearly ripped her door off the hinges.

Saedra burst through at the same time and fell into his arms with a cry. In a dramatic display of strength, he didn’t stop, just hooked an arm about her waist and carried her as he raced outside with his weapon raised in his free hand.

Amelie and Scarlett were right behind him, scanning to see what had frightened Saedra. Amelie searched her yard but didn’t see one dark head with bouncing curls.

“Fleur?” she called, pushing past all of them to check her yard. “Fleur!”

“He...he took her,” Saedra gasped as she struggled in Garik’s hold.

He released her and they got their first clear view of Saedra. Red streaks stained the thin short capped sleeve shirt. The color stood out against the white material all the more.

Garik released a chilling roar, frantically running his hands over her body. “Are you hurt?”

Scarlett went to her and lifted her shirt, revealing an unmarried torso. “I’m a medic. I don’t see anything.”

“Where is Fleur?!” Amelia’s panic was rising the longer she didn’t know where her daughter was.

“I’m sorry.” Tears welled in Saedra’s eyes. She held up the knife in a trembling hand to reveal the blood marring the tip of the blade. “I tried to stop him.”

Garik yanked her against his chest, his arms folded about her. His face was pale and his eyes were squeezed shut. Seeing his visible fear would have held Amelie enthralled any other time but she wanted her daughter.

“Who took her? Who has Fleur?” Though in her heart, she already had an idea.

Saedra pulled away from Garik as much as he’d let her. “I think it was your ex, Roan. Fleur said the bad man was here. I looked over my shoulder and he shoved me aside. I tried to keep him away from your daughter but he grabbed her. It happened so fast. He put his hand over her mouth and started running. I chased him and slashed with the knife but he pushed me again.”

“You need to go to the medical center and have a scan run. Amelie, call the authorities and report this.” Scarlett rattled out instructions like a general and Amelie responding instantly.

“Scan? What’s wrong with her?” Garik barked. The whites of his eyes were larger than the silver orbs as